07/15/11 — ROOSEVELT "SONNY" THOMAS

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ROOSEVELT "SONNY" THOMAS

ROOSEVELT 'SONNY' THOMAS

May 1, 1937-July 13, 2011

May 1, 1937, was an eventful, yet beautiful, day in the life of the late Isaac Thomas Sr. and Edna Brooks. Born to this couple on that day in the small town of St. Matthews, S.C., was a baby boy, Roosevelt Thomas, also known as "Sonny." He was the fourth child born to this union.

Roosevelt moved to New Jersey in 1955, where he would later meet, and fall in love with, his precious wife, Shirley Cannady.

Roosevelt was an industrious young man, and began work at Arysnco, where he worked for more than 20 years, then Hoffman Roche.

He joined First Hopewell Baptist Church, and was a willing worker under the tutelage of the Rev. Robert H. Johnson in 1986. Roosevelt accepted the appointment of trustee. He was passionate and diligent about his new appointment.

After moving to Goldsboro, N.C., Roosevelt joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he acquired and developed lasting friendships.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011, the summons from on high came, and Roosevelt went to meet his master, brother, London Thomas Sr., and sister, Mozell Pimble.

On this earthly terrain to mourn their loss are a devoted wife, Shirley Thomas; his children, Michelle Miller (Corey), Wendy Vaughn (Jonathan Sr.) and Jerome Gibbs (Delores); a sister, Frances Wright (Dow); two bothers, Sammie Lee Thomas (Ruby) and Isaac Thomas Jr.; sisters-in-law. Rilla Thomas and Cora Jean Hackney; brothers-in-law, Charlie Cannady Jr. (Margaret), William Cannady (Pat) and Thomas Hackney; grandchildren, Jonathan Jr., Wynton, Krissy and Chantae, Dashawn; godchildren, John Brown, Burnis Edwards and Mark Parrot Jr.; and a host of relatives and loving friends.

A viewing will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A service of remembrance will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Following the services in the sanctuary, Mr. Thomas, along with his cherished family, will be escorted to Wayne Memorial Park for farewell rites.

Mr. Thomas' corporeal temple is peacefully resting at E.M. Matthews Funeral Home, where his family is receiving prestigious service.

(Pd)

Published in Obituaries on July 15, 2011 1:48 PM